Country Reports on Terrorism 2011 - Eritrea

United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2011 - Eritrea, 31 July 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/501fbcb9c.html [accessed 3 August 2015]

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Overview: There was no dialogue between the Eritrea and the United States regarding terrorism. In May 2011, for the fourth consecutive year, the U.S. Department of State determined, pursuant to section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act, that Eritrea was not cooperating fully with U.S. antiterrorism efforts.

The Government of Eritrea has been under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions since December 2009. United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1907 demanded that Eritrea "cease arming, training, and equipping armed groups and their members, including al-Shabaab, that aim to destabilize the region." In December, UNSCR 2023 was adopted, which condemned the Eritrean government's violations of UNSCRs and prohibits Eritrea from using the "Diaspora Tax" to destabilize the Horn of Africa region and to violate the sanctions regime. (See http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sc10471.doc.htm for further information on UNSCR 2023.)

The Government of Eritrea has cooperated in providing over-flight clearance to U.S. military aircraft engaged in regional security missions. However, it has linked broader cooperation to the unresolved border dispute with Ethiopia.

Legislation and Law Enforcement: Security was strengthened on the Eritrean/Ethiopian border, but it appeared this was only to deter citizens from fleeing Eritrea. The Government of Eritrea has a shoot-to-kill order for Eritreans trying to flee their country by crossing the border with Ethiopia. Eritrean troops regularly chased escapees into Sudan to try to capture them and bring them back to Eritrea.

Countering Terrorist Finance: There was very little transparency and disclosure by the banking and financial sector in Eritrea.

For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, we refer you to the 2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.